You know the country is getting serious about healthcare reform when Oprah Winfrey puts her considerable media might behind the cause. In an episode aired last Friday–entitled “Sick In America: It Could Happen To You”–the all-powerful Oprah had Michael Moore on the show, along with a sacrificial lamb from the health insurance industry.
I have to admit that Oprah puts on a good show. She spotlighted four hard-luck cases who had their claims denied despite serious illnesses. In one case, the insurer actually backed off and paid the claim after getting a call from Oprah's staff. Too bad thousands of others who get jerked around by their claims reps don't have Oprah's muscle behind them.
However, another case spotlighted one huge blind spot in the healthcare reform debate–the prices medical providers charge. The case involved an individual who had a major procedure–a bone marrow transplant, if I recall correctly–for which the hospital was charging $250,000. The insurer only offered coverage up to $150,000 under that individual's policy. The hospital said, bluntly, come up with the other 100 grand, or we'll see ya later!
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